Marvel Super Hero Squad Online
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was a massively multiplayer free-to-play online game for younger audiences based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad, developed by American video game companies the Amazing Society and Gazillion Entertainment. The open beta version of the game was released on April 29, 2011. It was a freemium in-browser game that offered two types of microtransactions: To purchase in-game currency, or a monthly subscription that gave the player additional perks.
Players collected heroes to form their own Squad. They were able to choose a hero from their Squad to play in a number of games and activities. As they played, the heroes increased not only their power in combat, but unlocked animated emotes for use in the social game world zones. Many characters from the Marvel Universe appeared in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online in a traditional Super Hero Squad "super-deformed" style.
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was the first MMO game developed in Gazillion's and Marvel's 10-year exclusive game publishing agreement. The second was Marvel Heroes.
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was shut down on January 11, 2017. Gazillion Entertainment itself shut down on November 22, 2017.
Gameplay
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online had alternate controls, in which with one click the player could move from one place to another, or use the arrow keys or the traditional WASD keys on a keyboard. When the player creates an account and enters the game, they are given four starting heroes: Cyclops, Ms. Marvel, Falcon, and the Thing. The object of the game was to unlock and collect other Marvel heroes so the player can form their own unique superhero team. As an MMORPG, the game is split into 5 primary types of gameplay:- Zones: These were the games main overworlds for the player to select what they choose to do next. Players may of emoted or have chosen text options to interact with other players in real time using the Marvel heroes as their avatars. The zones included the Daily Bugle, the Baxter Building, and Asgard. A fourth zone titled Villainville was later made available. Certain characters could fly, by clicking on blue or green circles on the ground. If the character was unable to fly, that character could have a double jump or a high/long jump.
- Missions: The main form of gameplay that had players choosing a hero and entering a beat 'em up style action-adventure stages, tasked with defeating hordes of enemies to reach the final boss. To attack, players clicked on the enemies or pressed a certain button to perform a special attack. Missions could have been completed solo or with other players, and were unlocked at the in-game shop.
- Headquarters: Each player is given a virtual Headquarters, where they could watch their collected heroes interact with the environment or feed them. The player could have purchased things such as furniture.
- Card Games: A collectible card game was made available to play in early August 2011. The object was to deplete one's opponent's card deck by attacking with their own cards. The opponent could have been either another player in real-time or an NPC. Each card had a uniquely designed illustration and affect, and upon drawing, was accompanied with an often humorous visual in an arena setting.
- Arcade: An arcade was developed where players could play as Deadpool, She-Hulk, Black Panther, Daredevil, Captain America, Thor, Doctor Strange and Jean Grey in selected mini-games. Two characters such as Deadpool and She-Hulk were featured in each mini-game.
An achievement system was released that allowed players to complete several challenges such as greeting other players, buying new heroes, beating missions or card game quests. Each challenge completed awarded the player fractals, and a new hero.
The game was released in Europe on November 4, 2011. On November 1, 2012, the European server was merged with the North American server and expanded to encompass more European countries.